Adjustable hacksaw frame



J1me 1951 J. M. LEATHERMAN 2,556,093

ADJUSTABLE HACKSAW FRAME Filed July 16, 1946 INVEN'I'OR cTEQQY M. LEATHEPMAN 1w rwjit ATTORNEYS Patented June 5, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,556,093 ADJUSTABLE HACKSAW FRAME Jerry M. Leatherman, Akron, Ohio Application July 16, 1946, Serial No. 683,840

2 Claims. 1

This invention relates to hack saws, and more especially it relates to hack saws whereof the blade and frame are alternatively assembled in different relative positions to adapt the saw to operation upon different kinds of work.

The chief objects of the invention are to provide a simplified construction for hack saws of the character mentioned; to provide a construction that reinforces the blade of the hack saw; to provide a tool capable of utilizing blades of different length; to provide a hack saw having a frame portion that is invertible, with relation to another frame portion whereby the blade is attachable to the same elements in both positions of the frame portions; and to provide a hack saw wherein the blade tensioning member readily is adjustable to a number of different positions, and without removal from the tool structure. Other objects will bemanifest as the description proceeds.

Of the accompanying drawing:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a hack saw embodying the invention, with parts broken away and in section, in one of the alternative arrangements of its frame structure, one alternative position of the blade being indicated in broken lines;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the hack saw of the invention showing a frame portion inverted with relation to another frame portion.

Fig. 3 is a section, on a larger scale, on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary end elevation of the frame structure as viewed from the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawing, it will be apparent that the hack saw of the invention consists of relatively few parts, namely, a frame structure designated as a whole by the numeral ID, a blade H, and a blade tensioning device consisting of a threaded stem l2 and a nut I3 threaded thereon.

The frame l comprises a front or forward portion l5 that is removable from the remainder of the structure l0, and is mountable in two alternative positions therein, in either of which positions it is inverted with relation to the other of said positions. Said portion I5 is generally cylindrical at its forward end, its rear end portion being flattened on four sides so as to be rectangular in section, as shown at [6, two sides of the rectangular portion being parallel to the plane of the tool. The opposite or front end of the member I 5 has a short nose portion I! that is bent at right angles to the contiguous portion of the member, and the member itself has a reverse bend of about 30 at I8, which is 2 rearwardly of said nose portion about one-third the length of the member, both bends of the member being in the same plane. Between the bend l8 and nose portion l1, and extending through the latter, the member 15 is diametrically slotted at IS. A relatively shallow kerf '28 that merges with the slot l9 extends rearwardly from the latter and terminates on the convex side of the bend I8, said slot and said kerf being disposed in the central plane of the member l5. The nose portion I1 is located entirely at one side of the slot l9, and thus has the semicylindrical form that is clearly shown in Fig. 4. Mounted on the nose I1 and projecting laterally from the flat side thereof are short studs 2|, 2| to either of which the blade I I may be attached through the agency of the usual apertures formed in each end of the blade.

Rearwardly of the member is the frame It comprises a metal plate 24 of irregular shape that is formed with an aperture 25 of irregular shape, the arrangement being such that the plate 24 is provided with a hand-grip portion 2 3a and a blade anchoring and hand protecting portion 26b. Suitable handle facings 26 of molded plastic may be mounted on opposite sides of hand grip portion 24a to contribute to the comfort of the user of the hack saw.

Secured to the top of plate 2'4 as by means of rivets 21, is a downwardly opening channel member 28 that extends forwardly from the plate 24 and has the extremity of its lower margin formed with downwardly projecting lugs 25! that are connected by a cross-pin 30. The channel member 28 is of such width as to receive the rectangular section portion it of the frame member l5 therein. Said portion 15 is formed on one margin with a recess or notch 3|, and on its opposite margin with an exactly similar recess or notch 32, in' which notches the cross-pin 30 alternatively is receivable accordingly as the member [5 is mounted in the channel 23 in the position shown in Fig. 1, or in the inverted position shown in Fig. 2 In either arrangement the cross-pin 30 prevents movement of the member I5 longitudinally of the channel 28.

As previously stated, the tool comprises blade tensioning means consisting of a threaded stem I2 and a nut l3 threaded thereon. Said blade tensioning means is mounted upon the blade anchoring and hand protecting portion 24b of the frame plate as. The stem 12 has its front end portion flattened to semi-cyclindrical shape, as is best shown in Fig. 3, and a short stud 35 projects from the said fiat surface, said stud adapted to front margin of the frame portion 24b is formed with two spaced apart notches 31, 38 into which the closed end of slot 36 is drawn when the blade II is arranged in the full line position shown in Fig. 1, or in the position shown in broken lines therein. The function of the notches 31, 38 is to prevent the stem I2 from sliding movement parallel to the plane of the frame portion 24b.

TheapertureZS in the frame plate 24 is so shaped.

as to provide an ear-like formation 39 somewhat rearwardly of frame portion 2419 at the lower extremity of the latter. The arrangement is such that when the stem i2 is in operative posi-- tion and engaged in notch 38, the rear endof said stem will straddle a portion of formation 39, with nut I3 between the latter and frame portion 24b, thereby providing added stability to the stem.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the tool readily is adjustable to adapt it to various conditions of use. In either arrangement shown in Fig. 1 the tool is adapted for ordinary hack saw use, and is capable of employment in all cases Where the conventional hack saw might be employed. When the tool is assembled in the manner shown in Fig. 2, it may be employed in tight places where space is limited. It will be observed that in Fig. 2 the back of the blade I I is received in the kerf 20, thereby reinforcing the forward end of the blade by adding to the rigidity thereof. When desired, the arrangement shown in Fig. 2 may be modified by engaging the forward end of the blade to the other stud 21, which enables the tool to make a somewhat deeper out. When so arranged the tool is capable of operating in closer situations than are conventional hack saws, although not as close as the unmodified arrangement shown. In the arrangement shown in Fig. 1 the forward end of the blade is received in the slot I9.

The frame member 35 is held firmly in assembled relation with the remainder of the frame In simply by the tension of the blade II. When it is desired to change the arrangement of Fig. l to Fig. 2 and vice versa, it is only necessary to loosen the tensioningnut I3, dismount the blade, invert the member 45, and then remount the blade and tighten the nut I3. The tool has but few parts, it is applicable to a wide range of utility, and achieves the other advantages set out in the foregoing statement of objects.

Modification may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention, or the scope thereof as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A hack saw comprising a handle, a back frame, and means to secure a blade to said handle and tension the same, said back frame comprising a fixed arm of U-shaped channel section having an anchoring pin located on the open side of said section near one end thereof, and a detachable arm in the form of an obtuse angle, said arm having blade-securing means at one end, and having, at its other end, slots in opposite edges of the arm, adapted to engage around said pin when the arm is inserted in the channel of said fixed arm, whereby the said arm is selectively positionable so that the apex of the said angle may be directed toward or away from the said blade when secured.

2. In a hack saw as in claim 1, a longitudinal slotin that portion of the arm having the bladesecuring means adapted to receive the upper edge of said blade when the said apex of the angle is. directed toward said blade.

JERRY M. LEATHERMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Mills et al Oct. 22, 1940 

